Kettlefields Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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110771 Unique Reference Number 02 May 2006 Inspection date Lynne Elizabeth Lewington Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1997. She lives with her husband and three children; in a five bedroom house in Crookham Village, near Fleet. All areas of the property downstairs are used for childminding, and the bedrooms for rest. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to provide care for four children under eight years. At present the childminder has nine children on roll. The childminder takes the children to the local parks, library and activity centre. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop a good understanding of health issues through a broad range of experiences with the childminder. They learn about the importance of healthy eating and the types of foods that are good for them as they sit to the table with the childminder and talk about what they are eating. Good varied menu's provide a variety of foods including fruit and vegetables. An inventive reward chart records if they have their five fruit and vegetables each day, leading to a reward at the end of the week. Children are allowed treats as part of their varied diets ensuring they have a good awareness of all foods. Easy access to drinks of water prevents the children becoming dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enthusiastically wash their hands before lunch, using separate clean flannels to dry their hands. This simple innovative idea prevents cross infection as clean flannels are used each time. Clean and welcoming rooms with open windows to let in fresh air provide a pleasant environment for the children's play. Clear information provided by parents informs the childminder's practice to ensure that appropriate care is offered.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy good daily opportunities for walks to the park or to the pond to feed the ducks. This provides interesting opportunities to develop their physical abilities on the park play equipment, and the freedom to run and jump safely. A variety of small toys and puzzles provides opportunity to develop fine skills as they learn to manoeuvre puzzle pieces until they fit and use construction toys. Baby development is encouraged well by providing suitable opportunities for movement, for example, the play gym enables legs and arms to be extended to make the toys move.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children develop a good understanding of how to be safety conscious as they go about their daily activities. The childminder talks appropriately to the children, encouraging their awareness and understanding both in the home and on outings. Children learn road safety on their outings and the importance of treating the dog respectfully. However the friendly dog is sometimes unsupervised for short periods in the children's company. Clear fire evacuation plans ensure the property could be evacuated quickly if necessary and suitable emergency support has been planned in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safe guarded extremely well as the childminder is confident of the action to take if she is concerned about a child in her care. She demonstrates sensitive understanding in dealing with child protection concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The spacious pleasant environment is very well maintained providing the children with easy access to the playroom, toilet facilities, garden and kitchen easily. The play environment enables the childminder to supervise children's activities easily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time with this enthusiastic confident childminder because of her dedicated and innovative approach to her work. The childminder demonstrates an extensive understanding of the needs of young children and ensures they feel safe and secure in her care, whilst experiencing a variety of stimulating activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make choices about the activities they choose to undertake as they self select from a variety of good quality toys and equipment. This helps to promote their independence at a level suitable to their individual need. Interesting and stimulating activities planned by the childminder broaden the children's awareness and understanding. For example, when the new puppy was planned, the children thought about what the dog would need and went shopping to select a lead and bowl. This activity enables them to develop skills of thinking and linking ideas together, as well as increasing their awareness of making choices and using money. Children grow seeds and plants and make bird feeders to hang in the garden. This develops their awareness of nature and the world around them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes time to sit with the children joining in their play encouraging and praising them but also recognises that children need time to play independently in order to develop their own ideas and confidence. Opportunities to meet with other children and adults at childminder's homes, soft play areas and the library effectively encourage the children's social skills with both adults and children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder is an excellent role model to the children, she demonstrates good manners and consideration for everyone at all times. Children learn to be kind to each other at all times through 'kind words' and 'kind hands'. The childminder's comprehensive understanding of the children enables her to manage behaviour confidently taking into account their age and stage of development. She talks to them and seeks their ideas about why an action is not acceptable. Consistent and clear expectations enable the children to feel secure and safe in her care and regular praise and encouragement reinforces the children's desire to please.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A purposeful partnership with parents enables the children's needs to be fully understood and met. The childminder is sensitive to parents and children's needs and supports parents in their role by sharing information daily. She is sensitive to family events and helps children to understand difficult events through activities and stories. Comprehensive information regarding the service offered is available for parents and her childminding certificate is clearly visible for parents to see, confirming her conditions of registration.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder welcomes all to her provision and takes into account children's individual needs and parent's wishes in the care she provides. Children's knowledge and understanding of a diverse society is encouraged through outings in the community, toys and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease with this confident childminder in a well organised environment. This enables them to initiate and extend their own learning and play. Clear informative policies and procedures effectively promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. Good communication with parents ensures they are kept up to date with the child's activities and diet whilst in the childminder's care. It also ensures the childminder understands important information from the child's home. This contributes significantly to continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has made improvements to the records maintained and children's access to toys and activities which promote equal opportunities. An informative folder is available for parents regarding the service offered and parents can see any records maintained for their child on request.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has promoted equal opportunity by enabling the children to self access the toys they wish to use. Activities within the home and in the local community increase the children's awareness of our diverse society.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve health and safety routines when the dog is present.

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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